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Princess Charlene: a journey through South Africa

Princess Charlene of Monaco has recently spent five days travelling through her home country of South Africa in the name of her foundation and as a supporter of the African nation’s Red Cross branch.

On 21st April, Princess Charlene was given a reception in the city of Sandton where, in a speech, she informed the guests about the importance of her work with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. She explained that drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in South Africa (after road accidents), adding that it is her personal goal to save lives by teaching others how to swim and informing the public of the potential dangers the water can pose.

Among the many personalities present during her speech was former rugby captain of the South African rugby team, François Pienaar, and Olympic swimming gold medallist Ryk Neethling – both of whom are firm supporters of her foundation.

In 2016, the South African branch of the princess’ foundation gave classes and seminars for over 30,000 people, among them were 2,500 who were taught how to swim.

As part of her official visit, Princess Charlene also travelled to Gugulesizwe Primary School in Daveyton, where she met students and teachers, and gave a demonstration advising how important first aid knowledge can be.

On 22nd April, she attended the inaugural Princess Charlene Ladies Day, which is a charity horse race day created to support three organisations: the Red Cross, Gugulesizwe Primary School, and the Highveld Horse Care Unit. The event took place at Turffontein horse race track in Johannesburg.

Princess Charlene said in an interview with South African publication Eyewitness News: “I am African and this is my heritage. It will always be. It’s in my heart and in my veins.” She also shared her enthusiasm for visiting South Africa with her two-year-old twin children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, in the near future: “I cannot wait for them to come here. I cannot wait to show them Africa.”